First Qualifying Final Hawthorn v Sydney

When second is actually first

Chris McDermott searches the AFL Draft archives to pick out when second fiddle was actually the best.

It takes time to build dynasty

It takes time to build dynasty
BUILDING a premiership contender is not all about the No.1 draft pick, as Brisbane, Geelong and Hawthorn have all shown. It takes patience and an astute drafting strategy, says Chris McDermott.

How Crouch can become Crows’ very own Hodge

How Crouch can become Crows’ very own Hodge
HAWTHORN has welcomed its four-time premiership hero — three of them as captain — Luke Hodge back to its line- up after an injury interrupted season with stunning effect, writes Chris McDermott.

Toumpas proud to represent heritage

Toumpas proud to represent heritage
PORT Adelaide midfielder Jimmy Toumpas sits down with Chris McDermott to talk Multicultural Round and his pride in his Greek heritage.

Blog with Bone: Bye mess must end!

Blog with Bone: Bye mess must end!
THE AFL’s three-week run of byes is over — and must never be repeated says Chris McDermott. Now it’s back to the league’s more pressing matters. Replay Bone’s live blog here.

No idea taboo in AFL rethink

No idea taboo in AFL rethink
THE AFL think-tank is under way. Some of the best brains in the caper head behind locked doors to put the game under the microscope, looking for better ways to improve the sport at the highest level.

Emotional Dees-truction job awaits

Emotional Dees-truction job awaits
THE Crows’ clash against Melbourne at the MCG Sunday may prove to be their most important game of the season, writes Chris McDermott.

Phillips positive about SA draft chances

Phillips positive about SA draft chances
BRENTON Phillips has just coached South Australia at the Under 18 National Championships and he sits down the Chris McDermott to debrief.

Who are SA’s All-Australian contenders?

Who are SA’s All-Australian contenders?
JOSH Jenkins, Eddie Betts, Sam Jacobs, Daniel Talia or Rory Sloane? How about Jasper Pittard and Robbie Gray? Are any of these players a chance for All-Australian? Replay Bone’s blog here.

Bone’s Q and A with Natalie Bode

Bone’s Q and A with Natalie Bode
THE Women’s AFL is here. Players are being targeted. No sport is safe. But it will be too late for one of our greatest sportswomen, Natalie Bode?

Is it time for a Power refit?

Is it time for a Power refit?
WITH finals seemingly off the table for the second year running, is it time for Port Adelaide to launch a major overhaul, asks Chris McDermott. Replay Bone’s blog here.

Crows good - and can be far better

Crows good - and can be far better
THE Crows have been good, but are nowhere near peaking — and fans should be excited, says Chris McDermott. Here’s Bone’s mid-season report card.

Tommy guns for success

Tommy guns for success
IT HAS been a very bleak 2016 to date if you’re a Dockers supporter: Fyfe injured, Sandilands injured, 10 losses in a row.

Trade Crouch? Don’t be stupid!

Trade Crouch? Don’t be stupid!
KANE Cornes says let him go. I say keep him. Brad Crouch is the type of midfielder you can build a team around. The Crows may be tempted but they must not part with him. Replay Bone’s blog here now.

It’s time Hinkley makes the tweaks he’s been delaying

It’s time Hinkley makes the tweaks he’s been delaying
IT WAS a heartbreaker in every sense of the word. An in-form, quality team in the Western Bulldogs came to town to take on the improving Port Adelaide.

Who Crows should target if JJ leaves the nest

Who Crows should target if JJ leaves the nest
FREMANTLE, Richmond and Brisbane have declared their interest in out-of-contract Crows forward Josh Jenkins. Chris McDermott looks at who the Crows need to zero in on if JJ decides to move on.

Bone’s Q and A with Nathan Eagleton

Bone’s Q and A with Nathan Eagleton
THE Power takes on AFL glamour side the Western Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval Saturday afternoon looking to take their biggest scalp of the season. And Nathan Eagleton will be watching from the stands.

Young success can’t come at Monfries expense

Young success can’t come at Monfries expense
I HOPE I’m wrong but the re-signing of Aaron Young may be the “kiss of death” for Angus Monfries at Port Adelaide, writes Chris McDermott.

McDermott: Crows must set limit of $600k for Jenkins

McDermott: Crows must set limit of $600k for Jenkins
THE Crows need to sign Josh Jenkins, but not at any cost, writes Chris McDermott.

In this team the first shall be last ...

In this team the first shall be last ...
THE debut of Port Adelaide’s Logan Austin at the weekend had the bright sparks in the Tiser offices thinking. What would a team of AFL players with two first name look like? Here’s Chris McDermott’s view.

Bone: Who is your greatest of all?

Bone: Who is your greatest of all?
WE have lost a legend, with the passing of Muhammad Ali. He was rightly known to boxing fans as the greatest. But who is your greatest sportsperson of all time? Replay Chris McDermott’s live blog.

Passes and fails in Bone’s midyear grades

Passes and fails in Bone’s midyear grades
IT’S midyear report time in the AFL and Chris McDermott has graded every team. Some get pats on the back, while others have earned a caning.

Port way off the mark and it starts with defence

Port way off the mark and it starts with defence
TIMES change quickly in the AFL and you best stay ahead of the game or risk falling a long way behind, writes Chris McDermott.

Bone’s Q and A with Port’s Chris Davies

Bone’s Q and A with Port’s Chris Davies
WITH the mid-season byes fast approaching it’s that time of year when talk turns to the draft, who’s tanking for picks and how to fix the system. Chris McDermott talks with Port’s Chris Davies.

Draft lottery ‘American crap’, says Bone

Draft lottery ‘American crap’, says Bone
COLLINGWOOD chief executive Gary Pert wants a lottery between the bottom four sides to decide the No. 1 draft pick. Chris McDermott isn’t impressed, saying it’s “bloody American crap”.

Time for Port, Crows to get ferocious

Time for Port, Crows to get ferocious
THE race for the eight is about to get serious and if Port Adelaide and the Crows can’t win games like the ones coming up this weekend they face being left out in the cold. Replay Bone’s blog now!

Power must learn its lessons well in 2016

Power must learn its lessons well in 2016
PORT Adelaide is no premiership challenger this year, despite the forecasts. But still could build something special from lessons learned this year, says Chris McDermott. Here’s his blunt appraisal.

Bone’s Q and A with Mark Motlop

Bone’s Q and A with Mark Motlop
I HAVE been fortunate to know the Motlop family for more than 30 years. I played with Mark and against Paul. I coached Shannon. I’ve written about Daniel and I now watch Stephen from afar.

Bone: No need for send-off rule

Bone: No need for send-off rule
TO send off or not to send off? That’s the question. Tom Jonas’s hit on Eagle Andrew Gaff has fired debate about the issue. Chris McDermott is no fan of the idea. Replay Bone’s blog here.

Bone rates the Power players

Bone rates the Power players
PORT Adelaide may not have claimed the points, but it played with plenty of endeavour against West Coast. Chris McDermott looks at who performed well and who needs to lift, in his player ratings.